FEC revolving door spins ever so slowly

That’s mostly because for many qualified nominees, the post is just not worth the hassle. Unlike top regulatory or policy jobs at the Commerce Department, Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Communications Commission and others, there’s not necessarily a lucrative job waiting at the end of their terms. Former commissioners, attorneys and outside observers say that lack of a potential career boost — or worse, losing business and clients with no guarantee of being confirmed — is one reason that’s kept potential new members on the sidelines. “For lawyers with established practices and a good client base, leaving private practice to serve as a commissioner on the FEC can be a major financial hit,” said Michael Toner, a partner and election specialist with Wiley Rein, who served on the commission from 2002 to 2007. “Serving on the FEC can also be challenging on the back end given that you leave the agency with zero clients and the need to rebuild your law practice.”